Q.3 How far do you think cooperation, competition and confrontation have shaped the nature of federation in India? Cite some recent examples to validate your answer. 

Model Answer:

Introduction

India's federal structure, enshrined in its constitution, has been a cornerstone of its democratic governance since independence. The relationship between the central government and the states has evolved over time, shaped by various forces including cooperation, competition, and confrontation. 

Body

Cooperation

Cooperation between the central government and states has been a cornerstone of Indian federalism, fostering unity and promoting balanced development across the country.

• Joint initiatives enhance policy implementation and resource utilisation.
• Cooperative federalism strengthens national integration and reduces regional disparities.

Recent examples

• The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council: Established in 2017, the GST Council exemplifies cooperative federalism by bringing together the central government and states to make decisions on indirect taxation. This collaborative approach has streamlined the tax system and improved economic integration across states.
• COVID-19 pandemic response: The central government and states worked together to coordinate lockdowns, vaccine distribution, and healthcare resource allocation during the pandemic, demonstrating the effectiveness of cooperation in crisis management.

Competition

 Healthy competition among states has driven innovation, economic growth, and improved governance in India's federal structure.

• Competition encourages states to implement best practices and attract investments.
• It promotes efficiency and accountability in governance.

Recent examples

• Ease of Doing Business rankings: The annual ranking of states based on their business environment has spurred competition, leading to reforms and improved investment climates across India.
• NITI Aayog's Health Index: This index, which ranks states based on health outcomes, has encouraged competition in improving healthcare systems and service delivery.

Confrontation

While often viewed negatively, confrontation between the central government and states has played a role in shaping Indian federalism by addressing power imbalances and protecting state interests.

• Confrontation helps maintain the balance of power between the centre and states.
• It ensures that state-specific concerns are addressed in national policy-making.

Recent examples

• Farm laws controversy: The 2020-2021 protests against farm laws led to confrontations between some state governments and the central government, ultimately resulting in the repeal of the laws and a reassessment of agricultural policy-making.
• West Bengal-Center tensions: Recent conflicts between the West Bengal government and the central government over issues like the deployment of central forces during elections have highlighted the ongoing negotiation of power in India's federal structure.

Conclusion

As India continues to evolve, finding the right balance between these three factors will be essential for addressing emerging challenges and ensuring the robust functioning of its federal democracy.

Instant Mains Evaluation with SuperKalam‍

Now that you have gone through the model answer, try practicing and writing it in your own words and evaluate it instantly with SuperKalam here - Evaluate Mains Answer instantly